Date: Monday, April 15, 2024
Time: 10:30-10:35 A.M.
1. Minister’s Schedule
On April 15, Unification Minister Kim Yung Ho will have a luncheon
meeting with former Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban
Ki-moon to discuss ideas on unification at 11:30 A.M.
On April 16, at 10 A.M., Minister Kim will attend the cabinet meeting.
At 1:20 P.M., Minister Kim will make an appearance at a radio
program covering the reality of North Korea broadcasted on the Far
East Broadcasting Company.
At 6 P.M., Minister Kim will hold the 2nd Evening of Unification.
On April 17, at 7:30 A.M., Minister Kim will hold the 6th Wednesday Forum.
On April 18, at 10:30 A.M., Minister Kim will preside over a meeting
of the advisory committee on the establishment of the National North
Korean Human Rights Center.
On April 19, at 9:30 A.M., Minister will attend a seminar co-hosted
by the Unification Ministry and the Korean Association of
International Studies to deliver congratulatory remarks.
2. Q&A
Q) North Korea has used the phrase “Day of the Sun” for the first
time in two months, as it referred to the day as merely “April
holiday” until this point. What is the Unification Ministry’s take on
the North’s use of this term on the day of the event?
A) It is not appropriate for the Government to officially comment on
how the North calls its internal event.
Q) Last time, you said the Government will monitor the situation.
A) As mentioned, today’s Rodong Sinmun uses both “April 15” and “Day
of the Sun.” However, the North Korean authority’s pattern is no
different from the past, making use of this day as an opportunity to
foster internal unity by idolizing Kim Il Sung and emphasizing loyalty
toward Kim Jong Un.
Q) How does the Unification Ministry evaluate the meeting between
president Kim Jong Un and China’s third highest-ranking official over
the weekend?
A) North Korea and China aimed to demonstrate proximity through the
high-ranking Chinese official’s visit to Pyeongyang. It is necessary
to keep monitoring how this bilateral relationship will develop
without making assumptions.
All diplomatic relations with the
North should contribute to denuclearization of North Korea and
settlement of peace on the Korean Peninsula, while complying with UN
Security Council resolutions.
Q) In your perspective, how will the situation in the Middle East
affect North Korea? Some predict that the North will accelerate its
nuclear advancement, while others foresee that the North will join
forces with countries in the Middle East.
A) The Ministry has nothing to comment regarding the issue. However,
the North seems to be closely watching related developments as its
Rodong Sinmun was quick to report on Iran’s attack on Israel yesterday.
Q) At the international seminar on the Juche idea held on the
occasion of Kim Il Sung’s birth anniversary, overseas delegates
reportedly praised the ideology of Kim Jong Un. Can praising Kim Jong
Un’s ideology on Kim Il Sung’s birth date be seen as unusual? Does the
Ministry have an understanding of what the core content of Kim Jong
Un’s ideology is?
A) To my knowledge, the North has not yet officially laid out the
details of the Kim Jong Un ideology. It does not appear to be an
unusual development as the North has frequently used
expressiοns to raise Kim Jong Un’s reputation at
every major occasion.
Q) There are speculations that China and North Korea have discussed
the foundation of a summit meeting between Kim Jong Un and Chinese
leader Xi Jinping. Could such meeting be realized?
A) I will not make predictions about this issue. There is a need to
closely monitor future developments.
